"Our relative," said Macko, "the same who holds Bogdaniec in pledge. These must be his forests; but he must have purchased them a short time ago." "He did not buy them," answered Zych. "He was fighting about them with Wilk of Brzozowa and it seems that the abbot defeated Wilk. A year ago they were going to fight on horseback with spears and long swords for this part of the forest; but I do not know how it ended because I went away." "Well, we are relatives," said Macko, "he will not quarrel with us." "Perhaps; he is a chivalrous abbot who knows how to wear a helmet; but he is pious and he sings the mass beautifully. Don't you remember? When he shouts at mass, the swallows nested under the ceiling, fall from their nests. In that way God's glory increases." "Certainly I remember! At ten steps he could blow the candles at the altar out. Has he been in Bogdaniec?" "Yes, he was there. He settled five peasants on the land. He has also been at my house at Zgorzelice, because, as you know, he baptized Jagienka, of whom he is very fond and calls her little daughter." "God will bless him if he be willing to leave me the peasants," said Macko. "_Owa!_ what will five peasants amount to! Then Jagienka will ask him and he will not refuse her." Here the conversation stopped for a while, because over the dark forest and from the pink down, the bright sun had risen and lighted the environs. The knights greeted it with the customary: "May it be blessed!" and then having made the sign of the cross, they began their morning prayers. Zych finished first and said to his companions: "I hope to see you well soon. Hej! you have both changed. You, Macko, must regain your health. Jagienka will take care of you, because there is no woman in your house. One can see that you have a piece of iron between your ribs." Here he turned toward Zbyszko: "Show yourself also. Well, mighty God! I remember you when you were small and used to climb on the colts by the help of their tails; and now, what a knight! The face looks like that of a little lord; but the body like that of a sturdy man. Such can wrestle even with a bear." "A bear is nothing for him!" said Macko. "He was younger than he is to-day, when that Fryzjan called him a beardless youth; and he resenting it, immediately pulled out the Fryzjan's mustaches." "I know," interrupted Zych, "and you fought afterward, and captured their retinue. _Pan_ of Taczew told me all about it:" "There came a German very proud, He was buried with sore snout; Hoc! Hoc!" Zbyszko wondered at Zych's long thin figure, at his thin face with its enormous nose and at his laughing round eyes. "O!" said he, "with such a neighbor there will be no sadness, if God only restore my uncle's health."